US 12,449,803 B2
Automated storage and retrieval system with integral secured personnel access zones and remote rover shutdown
Rick K. Dorval, Dunbarton, NH (US); and Todd Comins, Chelmsford, MA (US)
Assigned to Symbotic LLC, Wilmington, MA (US)
Filed by Symbotic LLC, Wilmington, MA (US)
Filed on May 21, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/670,414.
Application 18/670,414 is a continuation of application No. 17/812,009, filed on Jul. 12, 2022, granted, now 11,989,016.
Application 17/812,009 is a continuation of application No. 16/987,963, filed on Aug. 7, 2020, granted, now 11,385,634, issued on Jul. 12, 2022.
Application 16/987,963 is a continuation of application No. 16/519,958, filed on Jul. 23, 2019, granted, now 10,739,766, issued on Aug. 11, 2020.
Application 16/519,958 is a continuation of application No. 16/150,085, filed on Oct. 2, 2018, granted, now 10,359,777, issued on Jul. 23, 2019.
Application 16/150,085 is a continuation of application No. 14/215,355, filed on Mar. 17, 2014, granted, now 10,088,840, issued on Oct. 2, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/794,065, filed on Mar. 15, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2024/0310830 A1, Sep. 19, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G05D 1/00 (2024.01); G05D 1/222 (2024.01)
CPC G05D 1/00 (2013.01) [G05D 1/0297 (2013.01); G05D 1/222 (2024.01)] 25 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A transportation system comprising:
a transportation space including destinations distributed in the transportation space;
multiple independent automated vehicles configured for free roving through the transportation space to and between the destinations so that the vehicles are dynamically distributed through the transportation space; and
a control system communicably connected via a remote communication link to each of the vehicles, the control system includes a vehicle accountant controller separate and distinct from a system controller, of the control system, directing each vehicle to different destinations, the vehicle accountant controller being connected via the remote communication link to each of the multiple independent automated vehicles and the vehicle accountant controller is configured to command stopping, via a black channel protocol, of the remote communication link, that effects a verified and secure shut down command, of only at least one selected independent automated vehicles, from the multiple independent automated vehicles in the transportation space, registered, by the accountant controller, at a location that corresponds to a user identified portion of the transportation space, and
wherein the system controller effects routing changes of other of the at least one selected independent automated vehicles from the portion of the transportation space depending on the commanded stopping of the at least one selected independent automated vehicles.